Hatzi Posted October 14, 2021 Posted October 14, 2021 6 minutes ago, eLicky said: I'm on the northern beaches myself, near Manly beach. I prefer brighter sounding headphones by default, and for years anything warm or dark sounded vieled, like listening to music through a wooden door or wet carpet but I did enjoy the original LCD-2, I understood them and would own them. When you goto into Minidisc listen to their Sennheiser HD800S, let us know what you think. That's what I use these days for full-size headphones. The HD800/s was on my shortlist if it came up, understand them to be revealing and open, in contrast somewhat to the LCD2. I used to own a pair of Sennheiser's a few years back no idea what model and it could be the memory of that sound which has thrown me when trying the LCD2's. I just expected a bit more from them, but havent written them off until I give them some decent amplification at least to see how they respond. I'll definitely give them and @DrTobiasFunke some focal's a try when I get around to it.
Kaynin Posted October 14, 2021 Posted October 14, 2021 Sennie HD800s are a completely different headphone. I was never a fan, went hifiman 1000 instead, but more comparable as like for like rather than comparing lcd 2’s with them. 1
CryptiK Posted December 16, 2021 Posted December 16, 2021 Read the thread, I’m invested, need to know what’s happened since! Any updates?
Hatzi Posted December 16, 2021 Posted December 16, 2021 26 minutes ago, CryptiK said: Read the thread, I’m invested, need to know what’s happened since! Any updates? I havent been out to any stores as yet with my HP to test out amps/dacs etc nor will I anytime soon unfortunately. So I cant give you an update on that, sorry. I did however get a cheap dedicated HP amp (SMSL SH-8s) with a fair bit more power, and im running a parametric equalizer with a dedicated LCD2 setup. More amp helped a great deal getting them to sound closer to right, im sure the higher up the chain you go the better it should get. I was told they were fairly easy to drive but I think part of them sounding flat was that they needed a fair bit more punch from the amp. Parametric equalization whilst not a silver bullet, filled in some gaps and evened them out somewhat too. They sound good, much better than before and definitely have a bit of a sound signature which to my ears really suits certain music. They sound much "bigger" than head phones which is probably their most impressive improvement. (I think I mean they have good soundstage? /shrug) and they have lost some of that flatness to them. Theyre definitely not analytical and highly detailed, but its an enjoyable experience putting them on now. Non fatiguing in nature, I dont mind the weight can listen to them for hours. A better dedicated HP in the new year is on the cards too. Cheers Hatzi
Ratfink903 Posted January 7, 2022 Posted January 7, 2022 Greetings people, I currently own a pair of HD6XX and Meze 99 Classics, I find them both fantastic in quality and for the difference in tone/response…? I’m not sure if that is the correct term, but by the way they sound awesome but different . If that makes sense. 1 being open back and the other closed. My question is with these 2 I think they set me back around $300 each, is there a big enough difference in sound and quality to spend $1k+ for probably lcd2/c or lcdx, & if so is it worth purchasing new or 2nd hand. If 2nd hand, how much should I look at spending before I purchase new. eg, is 2nd hand half price of a newby, or are tolerances ok, considering you may be purchasing interstate with no audition possible. Thanks heaps for any information you may have. Cheers
Bengineer Posted January 7, 2022 Posted January 7, 2022 6xx / Meze Classic to a LCD-X will blow your mind. So careful there. Does need a smidge of EQ to balance it out tonally, but once you do, reward is very very high. The LCD-2 Classic is OK, but it needs a fair wack of EQ to sound right. If spending over $1000 on a headphone isn't a common thing, and you're likely to do it once, then I would opt to get a unit with warranty when buying Audeze or Hifiman. Also what is your DAC and what is your Head Amp?
CryptiK Posted January 8, 2022 Posted January 8, 2022 (edited) 17 hours ago, Bengineer said: 6xx / Meze Classic to a LCD-X will blow your mind. So careful there. Does need a smidge of EQ to balance it out tonally, but once you do, reward is very very high. The LCD-2 Classic is OK, but it needs a fair wack of EQ to sound right. If spending over $1000 on a headphone isn't a common thing, and you're likely to do it once, then I would opt to get a unit with warranty when buying Audeze or Hifiman. Also what is your DAC and what is your Head Amp? This is a fair derailment but I don’t really agree with EQ’ing headphones. They each have unique sound signatures based on electromechanical properties of their design and construction it’s sort of defeating the purpose to buy a selection of ‘phones then EQ them all flat. Or harman. Or whatever. The LCD-2/2c is beautifully dark and warm, like a nice cup of cocoa in front of a fire. They’re gorgeous and rolled off and suit certain things very well. The LCD-X from my limited time with it is Audezey but much more immediate and forceful. Like the nice cup of cocoa in front of a fire but with a crack pipe next to the plate of cookies. It’s an LCD-2 that wants to party. I like to have a selection of ‘phones so you can enjoy their unique personalities. Difficult in reality though if you change genres every track like a bad case of ADHD. 1/2 - 3/4 of new pricing is close to normal. Depends on age, condition, additional items like cables and desirability. Some people buy new and then sell days/weeks later and try to recover as close to their new spend as possible not quite understanding the hassles of warranty claims or the risks of being a second owner. These don’t usually sell without some price drops, just the risk you take rolling through new gear. Take a look at some SOLD ads in the classifieds here and correlate with new RRP for an idea. Edited January 8, 2022 by CryptiK 3
Bengineer Posted January 8, 2022 Posted January 8, 2022 Audeze deliberately don't try and dampen and tune to the nth degree to get the tonal balance that is best, doing so has trade offs. Dampen here to boost that part of the FR, soften the detail or create another spike or dip there. EQ doesn't mean pushing everything into a target curve. I don't like that either. The massive list of EQ settings by Oratory and Crin push everything into a variant of the Harman curve. I agree with you there, everything starts to lose its character. But show some restraint, a bit of EQ really makes headphones shine. The LCD2 has a scooped midrange that sounds a bit hollow, small boosts there maintains the character of the LCD2 but balances that midrange better and lifts it to a new level. Its not pushing it into Harman, just nudging the weird parts. People acoustically treat their rooms to varying degrees for speakers. You can't really dampen the cup of a headphone, nudging your system with different DACs, Amps, Tubes, Cables and EQ are all ways to achieving the best for your ears. Your. Ears. If you can only have one $1000+ headphone, a non-EQd LCD-2 won't satisfy most ears. 2
Bengineer Posted January 8, 2022 Posted January 8, 2022 If you have the time to listen a lot and the money to spend, you could definitely build a system of 2-4 headphones with varying distinct tonal balances. LCD-3, HD800S, TH900 MK2 etc. 1
CryptiK Posted January 8, 2022 Posted January 8, 2022 Yep that’s true if you experiment yourself with some restraint then they’ll retain their character. LCD-2’s or 2C’s are not an all genres headphone absolutely. LCD-X, XC, 3, 4 or 5 yes they can be. Personally I sold everything a few years ago except one set of closed backs I enjoy. I’m intending to build up a little mix of headphones and just see what I use and what I don’t. OP - The gear you have as a front end and amp will also determine what you need phones wise as well in addition to what you listen to.
Ratfink903 Posted January 9, 2022 Posted January 9, 2022 Hey guys thanks for this, this is awesome, I’m currently using a Schiit stack of mini, modi & Loki and also portable with Fiio M11 with a Fiio M3 dac/amp. I’m not too sure of any shops in Brisbane that cater for mainly headphones or specialise in portable audio of this level where you can test drive the items, it seems to be a smorgasbord of conglomerates with a little bit of this and a little bit of that in heaps of different locations. Just concerned about the law of diminishing returns for the level of improvement over costs… if anyone knows where in brissie or qld we can trial these cans that would be very cool & thanks for the response people… very cool, Cheers
Bengineer Posted January 9, 2022 Posted January 9, 2022 Its steep after the Aeon Noire, LCD2, Elegiac, Clear (the $1200 og units). Grab the Clear Pro in the classifieds and have yourself one of the best sub $2500 cans around for under $1000. Or a $1500 HD800S and one of the greatest headphoens to exist.
Ratfink903 Posted January 9, 2022 Posted January 9, 2022 Thanks for that, coming from Brisbane do you happen to know of an establishment/s where I could audition a reasonable selection of quality cans, then I could compare new to second hand prices here Thanks again for the advice
Bengineer Posted January 10, 2022 Posted January 10, 2022 11 minutes ago, CryptiK said: @Bengineer ? Brisbane doesn't have a A2A or Minidisc... @Indie Hi-Fi (Hugo) has a selection of quality stuff, hit him up. Else we buy used and try, then sell if not our taste. 1
Indie Hi-Fi Posted January 11, 2022 Posted January 11, 2022 On 10/01/2022 at 9:19 AM, Ratfink903 said: Thanks for that, coming from Brisbane do you happen to know of an establishment/s where I could audition a reasonable selection of quality cans, then I could compare new to second hand prices here Thanks again for the advice I've got the items in this list to demo in Paddington, Brisbane. https://indiehifi.com.au/collections/demo-items Just shoot me a message to line up a time that suits. Can take you up the ladder to see where diminishing returns starts for you. Different for everyone. Cheers Hugo 2
Ratfink903 Posted January 13, 2022 Posted January 13, 2022 Thanks very much for this information people, I will check them out. Appreciate all your help and support. Awesome site!!! 1
davoaudio Posted February 21, 2022 Posted February 21, 2022 On 14/10/2021 at 1:21 PM, barbz127 said: My favorite amplifier pairing with the LCD2 was the schiit jotunhiem 2 if youre looking for suggestions for point A. For me that's only half of the story, a balanced XLR-4 cable was needed for me to make the LCD-2C sing with the Jotunhiem 2 1
Bengineer Posted April 11, 2023 Posted April 11, 2023 Just picked up a set of these. Bit over $400. https://www.audeze.com/products/maxwell-wireless-gaming-headset So far, impressed. These smoke any other "headsets" and most bluetooth headphones in general. No ANC but not their purpose. And I'm impressed with the functionality, price AND music playback quality. They're actually good for music. Anyone else pick up a set? 1
rand129678 Posted April 11, 2023 Posted April 11, 2023 48 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Just picked up a set of these. Bit over $400. https://www.audeze.com/products/maxwell-wireless-gaming-headset So far, impressed. These smoke any other "headsets" and most bluetooth headphones in general. No ANC but not their purpose. And I'm impressed with the functionality, price AND music playback quality. They're actually good for music. Anyone else pick up a set? I'm keen to get a pair. Great neutral (measuring) cans. Very Harman target looking. Comfortable ?
Bengineer Posted April 11, 2023 Posted April 11, 2023 Pretty good yeah. Fairly weighty for a Bluetooth, but big Audeze pads. No headband adjustment, but suspension strap adjustment. So they fit my massive melon. 1
Pavel Pivovarov Posted April 11, 2023 Posted April 11, 2023 They have 2 types of microphones: - detachable boom microphone with pop filter - built-in-cup microphones. If boom mic detached they are using built-in microphones. Noise canceling works on both mics boom and inbuilt. 1
Bengineer Posted April 11, 2023 Posted April 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Neo said: Can the mic be removed? Neo Yep. The inbuilt works fine for calls too. They are bigger than a Bose or Sony. They are heavier, 500g. But they are obviously better. 1
rand129678 Posted April 23, 2023 Posted April 23, 2023 On 11/04/2023 at 6:14 PM, Bengineer said: Yep. The inbuilt works fine for calls too. They are bigger than a Bose or Sony. They are heavier, 500g. But they are obviously better. Longer term impressions? Still lovin?
.thumb.jpg.cb6b24bd10b41bd7dcd534b13bb08334.jpg)
Recommended Posts